Format: Chapter Book Fiction

Secret Life of Sam

Secret Life of SamThe Secret Life of Sam by Kim Ventrella
Published by HarperCollins on September 29, 2020
ISBN: 0062941186
Pages: 272
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Sam’s dad recently died in a car accident, and he has been shuttled to Oklahoma to live with his long-lost aunt. Quite by accident, he encounters a mangy looking cat who leads him to a hole in a tree that turns out to be a passageway to the past. When he enters the portal, which is only open for short times, he can see his dad and his mother (who is also deceased). The visits to his past in the bayou become more and more strange, and things he once knew to be true seem cloudy. Sam is desperate for a way to stay with his father in the past, so he hatches a plan to stay within the portal after it closes. That, however, proves to be more difficult than planned. This book tackles grief, addiction, family feuds, and more, and it does so with grace and, at times, humor. The characters in this book are well developed and you want to learn more about them and their family history. This is a great book for kids who like realistic fiction with a little dose of magic. Really, the time travel aspect is the only departure from reality. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME’

three-stars

Serena Says

Serena SaysSerena Says by Tanita S. Davis
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062936972
Pages: 272
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Serena’s best friend JC just had a kidney transplant, and when JC returns from the hospital, Serena finds herself outside of JC’s inner circle. Feeling lonely, Serena focuses her attention on vlogging and working up the courage to actually post one of them online. She struggles to find the strength, wit, and courage she uses on her vlogs in real life. This is a funny and heartwarming tale of friendship and of finding your own voice. The plot moves well, and the story is a quick read. The entire book, however, is essentially middle school girl drama. There are certainly better books about finding your voice and confidence that skip the drama. Recommended as a second purchase and for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Rembrandt Conspiracy

Rembrandt ConspiracyThe Rembrandt Conspiracy by Deron R. Hicks
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on December 1, 2020
ISBN: 0358256216
Pages: 272
Genres: Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Art Hamilton has grown up around art his entire life, and he still spends most of his free time in the museum where his dad works. With a really big exhibit in the works, Art and his best friend Camille are excited to see so many famous portraits all together at once. Because Art spends all his time in museums, when something seems off, he notices. Convinced that someone is planning to steal a bunch of portraits from the exhibit, Art enlists Camille to help him foil the plot. Is someone actually trying to steal the paintings, or is Art making something out of nothing? Will the two sleuths be able to stop the thieves in time? This is the second installment in the Lost Art mystery series. The characters are likeable enough, and the plot definitely moves along well. There are twists and turns and Red Herrings, and who doesn’t love a good art heist? It is an entertaining read, but there isn’t anything overly amazing about it. It’s missing that wow factor. One bonus is the included material at the end about the real art heist at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum in Boston. An additional purchase for larger collections or where middle grade mystery is really popular. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

Whale of the Wild

Whale of the WildA Whale of the Wild by Lindsay Moore, Rosanne Parry
Published by Greenwillow Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 0062995928
Pages: 336
Genres: Adventure, Animals
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Vega and her family of Orcas thrive on salmon, and Vega is learning how and where to find the salmon. After a big earthquake and tsunami, Vega and her brother Deneb find themselves separated from the rest of the pod. Vega has to use all her navigational skills to find and guide her younger brother back to their family. They encounter many treacherous things along the way, sharks, hunger, pollution, and more.

This is a engaging and adventurous story of family, confidence, friendship, and survival. It also touches on climate change issues and the effect they’re having on the ocean and the creatures within it. The back pages include additional information about the selective and regional hunting strategies employed by specific Orca pods. Hand this book to anyone who loves a good animal adventure. Recommended for readers 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

three-stars

No Vacancy

No VacancyNo Vacancy by Tziporah Cohen
Published by Groundwood Books on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 177306410X
Pages: 224
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

When Miriam’s father loses his job, their family uses all the money they have left to buy a run-down motel in upstate New York. Miriam’s parents are hoping they’ll save on rent and be able to get back on their feet by running a successful motel business. Miriam isn’t thrilled about leaving the city, but she quickly befriends Kate, whose grandmother owns and runs the diner next door to the motel. When a supposed image of Mary appears on the old drive-in screen of this very Catholic town, it seems Miriam’s family may be getting the Jewish miracle she’d been hoping would save the motel.

This is a really fun novel of frienship, family, and adventure. The image of Mary on the drive-in screen didn’t just *happen* to show up — Miriam and Kate had a hand in it, and they struggle with knowing the truth and also knowing that people’s faith and beliefs are sometimes all that’s needed. The plot moves easily throughout the book, and the characters are relatable and, at times, funny. Recommended for readers 4th grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME

four-stars

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Collie Called Sky

Jasmine Green Rescues: A Collie Called SkyJasmine Green Rescues: A Collie Called Sky by Ellie Snowdon, Helen Peters
Published by Walker Books US on September 1, 2020
ISBN: 1536210269
Pages: 160
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An abandoned pup catches Jasmine’s attention in this #3 in the chapter book series. She nurses it back to health, trains, and falls in love with it, not knowing if she’ll be allowed to keep it. A few predictable twists, such as the puppy going to get help when Jasmine sprains her ankle in a distant field in the rain, don’t detract from the pleasure and suspense that animal-loving transitional readers will have while reading it. The series looks similarly enjoyable.Occasional sketched and well-spaced lines help make the text accessible. This would also make a great read aloud to introduce young readers to chapter books.

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Fins

FinsFins by Randy Wayne White
Published by Roaring Brook Press on March 31, 2020
ISBN: 125024465X
Pages: 313
Genres: Adventure, Mystery
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars
Luke and sisters Maribel and Sabina sign up for a summer job tagging sharks for Doc Ford. When they stray a little too far on one of their fishing expeditions, they stumble across a ring of shark poachers. This middle school adventure is a welcome addition to the Doc Ford mystery series.

Reviewed by Karen Sandlin Silverman, Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham

four-stars

Stick With Me

Stick With MeStick With Me by Jennifer Blecher
Published by Greenwillow Books on November 3, 2020
ISBN: 0062748629
Pages: 256
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

An original premise for dealing with middle school ‘friends’ and those who are not really friends!

Wren is missing practice time during school vacation for an upcoming ice skating competition as her little sister needs an operation in another city. Her family rents a house from Izzy’s family for the week. Neither want to attend Theater Camp, where jealousy and cliques rear their ugly heads for both girls.  

Izzy and Wren’s stories are interwoven through alternating chapters as they deal with each other, the operation, the rental, the Camp, the clique, and their own needs. The title refers to the multitude of stickers Izzy has on the back of her bedroom door – which is the room Wren stays in. The only detail that didn’t ring true for this reviewer was that Izzy’s family was uprooted for a week and stayed in the convenient garage apartment to make a little extra money.

Middle elementary girls could find lots to relate to here and perhaps glean a few strategies to deal with their own situations 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

four-stars

Show Me a Sign

Show Me a SignShow Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
Published by Scholastic Press on March 3, 2020
ISBN: 1338255819
Pages: 288
Genres: Historical Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Why was there a large population of deaf people on Martha’s Vineyard in the early 1800’s? And an ever higher rate in the small village of Chilmark? This part of the story is true, and the author has created an engaging historical fiction account of one attempt to find out. Prejudice and land ownership issues between the English and the Wampanoag worsen the relationship of the community to the outside world when Mary is kidnapped by Andrew – a man acting as a scientist to find out the reason for the deafness.

The author is deaf herself, and the in-depth backmatter she includes helps the reader understand the early settlement of this now popular island. Throughout the story she garners respect for the deaf and their families and friends, which includes freedmen and the Wampanoag. 

Reviewed by Lynn Mayer, Retired Librarian, Old Town Elementary School, Old Town

five-stars

Wondrous Rex

Wondrous RexWondrous Rex by Emilia Dziubak, Patricia MacLachlan
on March 17, 2020
ISBN: 0062940988
Pages: 88
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

Grace lives next door to her Aunt Lily and spends a great deal of time with her as her parents, both doctors are often busy. Aunt Lily is a writer and Grace loves that writer’s world, the words her aunt has introduced to her, the stories her aunt has shared with her, her aunt’s writing group even the snacks served at writer’s group. With her vocabulary, Grace’s teacher urges her to use those words in a story, but Grace feels she is no writer, her journal remains empty.  When Aunt Lily falls prey to writer’s block, she puts a notice in the post office, the grocery bulletin and online- “wanted, an assistant, a coach, a helper, for inspiration and a bit of magic.” a magician appears the next day with Rex- his dog also in need of something new. Rex changes their lives.

The story invites the reader into a simple, magical story of the love of words and stories, and that each of us has a poem or story that needs to be written even if we don’t think we have it in us.

It is a  good story that brings a smile to the reader, you want to live next to Lily and Grace and share in their love of story and Rex.

Patricia Maclachlan has again offered a story to be enjoyed by readers of all ages but is especially for those readers new to the chapter book format. As she did in the Poet’sDog, My Father’sWords, Waitingfor Magic, and Word After Word After Word, she has written a bit of magic for us to share.

submitted by Kathy George

Gray Public Library, Gray Me

Cream

five-stars